NFL stadiums to show same video replays referees see during reviews

The NFL is pulling back the curtain on video reviews.
(Chris O'Meara - AP)
One camera angle can be the difference between a touchdown and a turnover in the NFL. It’s a fact lead officials know all too well from their minutes they’ve logged under the hood during video reviews.

The NFL competition committee approved a new measure that will require all stadium video boards to show the exact same replay the lead official is viewing on the sideline monitor during a challenge or review.

Sorry in-house video guy, but your attempts to sway the jury by not showing the replay where the ball hits the ground on a home team fumble are no longer needed.

“I think this is another example of the league listening to its fans about what they want from the in-game experience,” Atlanta Falcons president and committee chairman Rich McKay told ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas. “I think throughout this edition of replay, the league, the teams and our broadcast partners have done a nice job of using the available technology to make the game better and make the experience better for the fans.”

Last year, the league made every scoring play reviewable in the latest update to a replay system that was reintroduced in 1999. McKay said a review of all of last year’s replays showed that the right call was made close to 99 percent of the time.

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